Knit Simple Spring & Summer 2018: A Review

Knit Simple has released their Spring and Summer 2018 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Pattern #1. The classic tennis sweater. This one's been in style for a century or so and seems likely to remain so for another century.

Pattern #2. Cute sailboat-themed bag. I'd line this one and put some sort of sturdier handles on it.

Pattern #3. The Breton stripe is another "can't miss" summer classic.

Pattern #4. This design isn't for the faint of heart, perhaps, but this isn't a bad bikini. The shaping is good, the stripes are sporty, and being that it's crocheted it should actually hold its shape reasonably well when wet.

Pattern #5. This dress is cute and beachy on the whole, but those straps and armhole trims do look a little skimpy in comparison to the stripe pattern. I'd widen them a touch.

Pattern #6. Cute and nautical. For the little wannabe naval officer or castaway in your life.

Pattern #7. This is another classic -- the little girl's sailor dress -- but it could stand a few improvements. I'd make that sad little tie into a proper bow, and improve upon that choppy-looking line of red on the collar by using some other method of knitting it in place, such as garter stitch edging or applied I-cord.

Pattern #8. I think this hat might make me feel as though I was dressed as a certain someone who knows how to have a lot of good fun that is funny. It's not a bad hat at all, but I think I'd do it in another colourway or play with the stripe pattern a little to make it look a little less Dr. Seuss-ish.

Pattern #9. This cloud pattern baby blanket is totally cute, and a remarkably effective look for such a simple design.

Pattern #10. The cloud theme isn't working nearly so well in this pullover. The clouds look like random bleach stains.

Pattern #11. We have here a crib mobile with clouds, moons, stars... and... mice with angel wings. Cute mobile, though I am finding the inclusion of angel mice a little random.

Pattern #12. For your baby on its more grizzly days.

Pattern #13. More weirdly random clouds.

Pattern #14. Some cloud pillows. I rather like the white garter stitch cloud, and might make a sun or rainbow pillow to go with it. The smug gray cloud looks like it just rained on someone's parade.

Pattern #15. Not a bad afghan. I rather like the pinwheel-like motif.

Pattern #16. A plain but wearable pair of socks.

Pattern #17. These are pretty basic but fine. I feel like I can't assess them properly because they're not on a pair of feet and I don't know how they fit.

Pattern #18. A nice lacy pattern on these.

Pattern #19. I think I would stop short of putting all those dangly little crocheted circles on the edge of this crocheted wrap, as they would drive me stark raving mad. The wrap is plenty detailed and interesting enough without it.

Pattern #20. Not a bad crocheted wrap. The colourway is good. But I can't help thinking it would be a nicer-looking piece if it were, er, knitted.

Pattern #21. I think every little girl I've ever known would be beside herself with delight to get such a beautiful, ethereal pair of fairy wings.

Knit Simple Winter 2017: A Review

In today's post, we're going to have a look at Knit Simple's Winter 2017 issue.

Pattern #1, Oversized Turtleneck. There's nothing objectively wrong with this one, but I'm pretty sure I'd feel like a lemon creamsicle in it.

Pattern #2, Textured Socks. I'm not quite liking the texture of these -- they don't look that good all stretched out on the leg.

Pattern #3, Shawl-Collar Cardigan. This one's a little too unstructured to work. The edges look as though they're turning under by accident rather than design.

Pattern #4, Cup Cozies. I've never seen the point of cup cozies, which are bound to get coffee, hot chocolate, and the like dripped or spilled on them and have to be washed.

Pattern #5, Hot Water Bottle Cover. Hot water bottles do make more sense, because they tend to be unattractive, and what's more attractive and more comforting than a hot water bottle in a cute little sweater?

Pattern #6, Cabled Poncho. This isn't bad, but as with most ponchos I can't help thinking it would look better as an afghan.

Pattern #7, Textured Pillows. Nice, useful piece, and would look good on many a couch.

Pattern #8, Lace Shawl. The lacework is beautiful, but when I've had rectangular knitted shawls like this I've always found them awkward to style.

Pattern #9, Fringed Blanket. Classic cabled afghan.

Pattern #10, Garter Stitch Cowl. This is as basic as it gets, but you can always upgrade it by making it in a beautiful, interesting yarn.

Pattern #11, Colorblock Hats. Classic striped caps are useful and a good way to use up odds and ends of yarn.

Pattern #12, Chevron Hat. That's an effective and interesting chevron pattern.

Pattern #13, Cabled Hat. Perfectly good standard cap.

Pattern #14, Fair Isle Hat. This is rather nice looking, though I would not describe it as fair isle.

Pattern #15, Bicolor Ribbed Hat. An interesting combination of texture and stripes.

Pattern #16, Pom Pom Hat. I don't much like the rolled edge on this one, which gives it an unfinished look.

Pattern #17, Tassel Hat. Not bad. I definitely like tassels more than pom poms, as I think them better suited to adults.

Pattern #18, Polar Bear Jacket, Hat, and Mitts. The mittens are cute, but I don't much care for the hat or jacket, which both have an awkward, cheesy look to them.

Pattern #19, Polar Bear Pillow. That is one square-looking polar bear.

Pattern #20, Bear Cub Hat and Pullover. This is rather cute without having the "trying too hard" look of the previous polar bear-themed sweater, hat, and mittens set.

Pattern #21, Scoop-Neck Pullover.
Nice texture, shaping, and gradient effect.

Pattern #22, Three Quarter Sleeve Cardigan. I rather like the inventive colourway of this one and the way the front edges sit, but the shaping through the body and sleeves is so loose and baggy that the overall look doesn't work.

Pattern #23, Narrow Shawl. Rather pretty. The edging pattern is interesting.

Pattern #24, Long Cowl. Pretty basic, but it'll do.

Pattern #25, Linen Stitch Scarf. I love the effect of linen stitch, but I'm not crazy about the colour palette used here. I'd also fringe this.

Pattern #26, Lattice Hat. A simple yet pretty effect.

Pattern #27, Swaddling Blanket. Not a bad way to keep your baby warm while still giving it room to kick and squirm.